The 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas—where 19 children and two teachers lost their lives—was a national tragedy. For our longtime partners at Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC), it was a deeply personal one too.

One of CPLC’s early childhood education centers is just blocks from the school. Many of their staff had children enrolled at Robb or family members who worked there. Some of the students who lost their lives had been part of CPLC’s early education program. The grief was not distant—it was felt every day, in every corner of their organization.

In the immediate aftermath, CPLC responded as a pillar of the community: bringing in grief counselors, distributing laptops so children could continue learning at home, and standing beside families as they processed unimaginable loss. But they saw firsthand how much more was needed.

“This project demonstrates what’s possible when organizations with heart come together,” said Alicia Nuñez, President & CEO of CPLC. “We’re helping a wounded community move forward and laying the foundation for Uvalde’s renewal."

So when the Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation began raising funds to build a new elementary school to replace Robb, CPLC jumped in to do its part. Through their CDFI, Préstamos, they helped bring critical capital to the table using New Markets Tax Credits. Still, the project needed additional funding.

That’s when CPLC turned to RDF. With a long-time partnership built on trust and shared values, CPLC knew we would recognize what this project meant—not just financially, but emotionally and symbolically. RDF joined the effort, providing financing to help make the new school a reality.

Scheduled to open in fall 2025, the new school is more than a building—it’s a space for healing, safety, and renewed hope. Walking the site, you can feel the weight of the loss, but also the resilience of a community.

“This project demonstrates what’s possible when organizations with heart come together,” said Alicia Nuñez, President & CEO of CPLC. “We’re helping a wounded community move forward and laying the foundation for Uvalde’s renewal."